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A Dramatic One-Two Punch on Climate Change

by: gradysdad

Mon Jan 26, 2009 at 13:34:09 PM EST
(Not strictly NH news, but considering how many states surrounding us this impacts, definitely a breath of fresh air. - promoted by Dean Barker)

Today, President Obama showed us what we can expect from his Administration on Climate Change issues.

This morning the President signed a Memorandum requesting that the EPA take a second look at a waiver sought by the State of California to have tougher fuel-efficiency standards than what is required by federal law.  

A video of the President's comments may be found here.

Obama told a White House gathering "America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources." He said that the government must work with the states -- not against them -- on tougher fuel standards for cars and trucks.

Already, we hear dissent from the auto industry:

"I am fearful that today's action will begin the process of setting the American auto industry back even further," replied Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, in a written statement. "The federal government should not be piling on an industry already hurting in a time like this."
gradysdad :: A Dramatic One-Two Punch on Climate Change
Then this afternoon, undeterred, our new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, with the President's support and encouragement, named a special envoy, Todd Stern, for Climate Change.

Stern is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, focusing on climate change and environmental issues.  Stern's appointment adds urgency to President Obama's and Secretary of State Clinton's promise to make climate change a foreign policy priority.

These actions on the part of our new leaders signal to us and the world that they will not back down on such important issues like preserving our environment despite what has to be enormous pressure from the auto and other industry in this time of economic recession.

No more excuses.  It is a matter of national security.  Now we get what we voted for! The first week in office and they are already hitting on full cylinders.
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A Dramatic One-Two Punch on Climate Change | 8 comments
yes sir (4.00 / 2)
Perhaps the best outcome anyone could have hoped for a year ago, to come out of the electoral process, the best and brightest working on the most important issues of our day.

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops
Old Thinking (4.00 / 3)
The Republicans speak out of both sides of their mouths on the auto industry. On the one hand they are complaining that the stimulus bill will require replacing the federal auto fleet - a requirement that will give the auto industry a major shot in the arm, and also reduce costs since the newer vehicles, like the Chevy Malibu, have better mileage. On the other hand, they are complaining that the auto industry may have to increase mileage - something that will help the country and the planet in the long run.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    
the same people who oppose helping the auto industry (4.00 / 2)
because it failed to build efficient marketable cars forget that it was they that fought enhanced CAFE standards, which would have forced the industry to develop the products that would have avoided the meltdown.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  
[ Parent ]
I really like that Stern's envoy (4.00 / 2)
position is coming out of state.

I've heard a lot of lip service about how climate change is a national security issue.

With this one move, we just put our policy where our mouth is.

birch, finch, beech

U-Turn for U.S. n/t (0.00 / 0)


for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops
Voinovich NOT the Auto Industry! (0.00 / 0)
I am glad you posted this about President Obama's executive order today, as it's a positive move forward for our country.  

However, I don't feel Senator Voinovich should be classified as a spokesman for the auto industry.  To me, he's just listening to Rush Limbaugh and knocking Obama.

As a long-time labor union supporter AND long-time Sierra Club member, it's time we stop assuming that the forces supporting the auto industry and/or labor movement oppose those of environmentalists.  

Voinovich is "acting out" of his talking points, which he fails to see are expired.


Be the Change you wish to see in the world (Gandhi)

Point Well Taken (4.00 / 1)
Perhaps it was too broad of brush. At the time I wrote the diary, it was too early to get the actual response from the auto executives.  By now some have made statements and it is not necessarily the same response as Voinovich. Check out this Huffington Post diary.

[ Parent ]
Disagree (0.00 / 0)
Cars are manufactured all over the world to ship here.  Having drastically different standards from state to state is unreasonable.

That said, I'm with California on this one.  We should be taking a hard line on this.  And we can.  We won the election.  We won big.  Do it in Washington.

--
No tea; no decaf.

@DougLindner

A Dramatic One-Two Punch on Climate Change | 8 comments

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